Running - Knee Pain

[tshort]

In the summer, fall and in previous years I had run a few times per week 2-5 miles per run. I'm 22, in good shape, lift weights, and mix in basketball, racquetball etc. During December/January, I rarely ran and it was on the treadmill, but played basketball and did the stairmaster enough so I was getting 2-3 cardios per week.

Sometime in February, I was able to make it outside for the first time to run 2-3 miles at an easy pace. After less than 2 miles, I had to stop because of pain in my right knee. I figured it's because I hadn't run much lately and took a few days off. A few days later, I ran again and had the same knee pains after about 1.5 miles.

So, I took well over a week off from running and my roommate gave me an Original Cho-Pat Knee Strap (his dad is a Chiropractor). This seemed to help quite a bit with preventing the knee pain, although towards the end of the 3 miles I could start to feel some mild pain my right knee. Without the strap, I imagine I would have had to stop after a couple miles. I only ran a couple times in March, but want to get back to a few times a week.

Has anyone experienced this? I googled it and it seems to be very similar to what people call "runners knee." I have never previously had knee pains and I was running up to 5-8 miles on my weekly long runs in the Fall.

I know I should probably just go to the doctor, but an advice would help! Thanks.

[cbloom]

Running is very bad for your knees. Stop running. Also, basketball is also hard on your knees. If you don't want knee pain for the rest of your life you should stop basketball and running immediately. There are basically no cures for this stuff, just prevention and minimization.

[StaticShock]

[ QUOTE ]
Running is very bad for your knees. Stop running. Also, basketball is also hard on your knees. If you don't want knee pain for the rest of your life you should stop basketball and running immediately. There are basically no cures for this stuff, just prevention and minimization.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, just wow...

[anklebreaker]

I have very little knowledge about running and knee phsyiology. Yet, I think cbloom is kidding/being extreme.

[skunkworks]

Where is the pain on the knee? Outside? Inside? Center? Back?

[thirddan]

i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

[tshort]

[ QUOTE ]
Where is the pain on the knee? Outside? Inside? Center? Back?

[/ QUOTE ]

Behind the knee cap. Symptom's similar to "runner's knee".

[tshort]

[ QUOTE ]
i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

[/ QUOTE ]

I did some searches on the internet and described the symptoms to a chiropractor. He said I most likely have runner's knee and hence why I got a band that would help prevent it.

I was wondering if anyone has gone through similar problems. If I start running again and the pain continues, I will go to the doctor.

[tdarko]

thirddan,

[ QUOTE ]
i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

[/ QUOTE ]

This really isn't completely true. You are right that going and seeing a specialist would be easy to do but there are plenty of knowledgeable posters on this board (skunkworks, burrito, many others I can't think of right now) that can help...I mean if he does a little reading he can help himself out. This doesn't sound like a meniscus tear or bucket handle tear, this obviously isn't ligament damage b/c of his ability to laterally move ("I'm 22, in good shape, lift weights, and mix in basketball, racquetball etc.") as well as no description of severe pain.

Typically you can grade your pain yourself 1-4

1- Pain a few hours after exercise, maybe a tightness in a calf in the evening after a run or a dull pain in your knee that night. This level the problem is minor and a lot of times isn't noticed. These injuries don't change the running program but are the first sign of overuse and the first sign of problems to come.

2- Some discomfort during the run but doesn't hurt your performance. That tightness or pain you felt in the evening is now what you feel during your runs. Now you need to really pay attention to what is going on to your body to avoid serious injury. Most injuries are overuse injuries and your muscular skeletal system is breaking down, some injuries are mechanical.

3- These are more severe. These injuries limit your training and performance. Adjustments must be made in your training schedule and medical advice may be needed.

4- These injuries are so severe that running is impossible and treatment is mandatory--you can't even walk w/o pain.

First, as runner you need to know these different levels of pain and how your body feels. Be aware of you feel when you run and know WHY your body starts to breakdown, is it b/c of overuse or am I simply running incorrectly? Most running injuries require rest, during this rest simply cross-train, get on a bike or in a pool.

The next thing is to know the injuries and why they occur.

This post could get really long if I started to list all the injuries, explained them and why they become injured. So just be aware of "Runner's Knee" (chondromalacia? patella), Achilles tendinitis, shinsplints, plantar fasciitis, Iliotibial band syndrome, stress fractures, sciatica.

The reason going to the doctor isn't always the IMMEDIATE thing to do is that under almost every situation the doc is going to say, "you have a couple stress fractures from overuse, or you have runner's knee or whatever, get some rest, ice, take some anti-inflammatory," and then pay the man his money when you already know that you should have been resting, icing etc. and that knowledge was free.

[skunkworks]

If you're ever in the Irvine area, tdarko, I will make sweet, sweet love to you and your fitness advice.